The Lord Rescues and Restores

Meditate. Consider what the Lord has done in your life.

I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. Psalm 30:1-4 

The Lord rescues and restores—not just during David’s time when this Psalm was written, but even today. People call to Him. Just think about your own life. When do you fervently call out to the Lord in prayer? Is it when things are going well…or is I when you are distressed and desperately need some help? Of course, it is when you need help or when family or friends are in need of assistance. Health issues are probably of the highest concern. Consider the prayer list from church or those with whom you associate. Cancer, heart problems, surgeries, death, COVID or other illnesses are at the top of the list. I think we all can rejoice and identify with people who have had their health restored through prayer.

Wailing Wall - Jerusalem
When I was there there were many ladies--
on the Women's side of the Wall.

Lift up your prayers to the Lord.

With wars and rumors of war afflicting Israel you would think that there would be a mass of people at the Western Wall—the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, but live video cameras show very few people there. Where do Jews go to pray?  Maybe they are in their bomb shelters, praying. As earthquakes seem to be increasing in magnitude and frequency around the world are there people down on their knees in prayer? Do you suppose that the end is near, just as Jesus explained to His disciples when they asked Him about the end times?

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?" Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:3-11

Jesus has told us not to worry. In another passage He instructs His disciples…and us…to be ready.

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

What are you doing today in your relationship with Jesus…and in following His advice to be ready?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, just as Paul wrote to Timothy…help me to keep myself pure, so I can be a special utensil for honorable use. May my life be clean, so I will be ready for the Master, You Lord, to use me for every good work. From 2 Timothy 2:21. I praise You, Lord, for Your sacrifice for me, for Your healing touch on my life…and for the opportunity to serve You—forever.

Lord, please be mericiful to Your followers in the land of Israel today.

Verses of Salvation ~ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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